SVP criticizes political leadership of Defence Minister Amherd
Published: Tuesday, Feb 27th 2024, 18:10
Back to Live Feed
The SVP identifies a leadership problem in the Department of Defense. The Federal Councillor responsible, Viola Amherd, has looked the other way on several occasions. According to Switzerland's strongest party, a rethink is needed.
Four SVP representatives told the media in Bern on Tuesday. The party had previously dealt intensively with the army and listened to its head Thomas Süssli, among others. His communication regarding the army's funding problems was "not ideal", said Thomas Hurter, National Councillor for Schaffhausen.
However, the problem is to be found at the political level. "The SVP would have expected Amherd to stand up straight and explain the situation," says Hurter. However, this did not happen.
Even when the army presented its so-called black book on the state of its defense capabilities last summer, no one from the political leadership was there. In addition, Amherd had reacted too late after the quarrels at the federally owned armaments company Ruag, said Zurich National Councillor Mauro Tuena.
For the SVP, corrections are urgently needed. Parliament should return to its decision to allocate one percent of gross domestic product to the army in 2035 instead of 2030, said Bernese Councillor of States Werner Salzmann. Amherd should not hide behind the debt brake and collegiality, said Jean-Luc Addor, National Councillor from Valais.
According to the SVP, the additional expenditure on the army is to be financed by cuts in other areas such as asylum. Tax increases are not an issue, said Hurter.
"The Federal Council must find a cross-departmental solution for the army," says Salzmann. Funds also need to be shifted within the army. "Fewer solar projects, more weapons," said Tuena.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic